University of South Carolina Health Assessment

The University of South Carolina (USC) participates in the National College Health Assessment through the USC’s membership in the American College Health Association (ACHA). This survey was developed to assist health service providers, health educators, counselors, and administrators in collecting data about the health of their students. The NCHA was pilot tested in 1998-1999 and systematically evaluated with reliability and validity analyses comparing common survey items with national studies such as the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (CDC).

The goal of this research project is to collect data about risk and protective behaviors, perceived norms, and incidence and prevalence of a variety of health problems/conditions which may affect academic performance and retention. Having these data helps the USC plan programs, prioritize campus needs, allocate resources, design strategies for intervention, identify protective and risk factors associated with academic performance, and measure progress on the National Health Objectives from Healthy Campus 2010. Healthy Carolina conducted the NCHA for the first time during the 2006 Spring semester, and will continue to conduct the assessment periodically on campus.

In addition assessing the health of students at USC, the university implements a health assessment every other year specifically for faculty and staff. The purpose of this assessment is to better identify and address their specific health concerns. Data gathered from this assessment is used to develop health and wellness programs and services for faculty and staff here at USC. It is an anonymous survey completed online via the internet and the answers are not personally identifiable. The assessment has been reviewed by various faculty members in health related disciplines and is based on valid and reliable assessments from other institutions and Health Risk Assessments that are commonly used by employee wellness programs and insurance providers.